Congressional Leaders, Conservative Groups Renew Measures Targeting People’s Health Care Access — Once Again, Women Would Lose the Most

Planned Parenthood: “Once again, extreme lawmakers are asking Americans to pay more and get less, with women paying the biggest price of all.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, conservative groups renewed attacks on health care access that would result in more uninsured people, reduce access to reproductive health care, and increase barriers to essential services for women, like maternity and newborn care. The new proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was introduced by former Sen. Rick Santorum, the Heritage Foundation, the Galen Institute, and other conservative think tanks. It mirrors last year’s failed repeal bills, including the dangerous and unpopular Graham-Cassidy bill. Just like Graham-Cassidy, the proposed plan would decrease access to private insurance coverage, while kicking millions out of the Medicaid program, and result in individuals with pre-existing conditions paying more for life-saving care. This ACA repeal plan would also — for the first time — expand the unfair Hyde amendment restrictions and undermine women's access to private coverage for abortion.

While far-right politicians and activists were busy rolling out a policy proposal that mirrors legislation roundly rejected by the majority of Americans, House Budget Committee leaders were pushing a harmful budget resolution that includes deep cuts to important programs like Medicaid. The resolution is designed to undermine the ACA, an effort that would especially harm people of color and people with low incomes. Both measures will harm the health of women and their families. Black and Latina women are more likely to have certain chronic or serious medical conditions due to systemic inequities in access to medical care and would be disproportionately affected. 

Statement from Dana Singiser, Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

Congressional leaders have yet to learn that attacking people’s health care is widely unpopular. People around the country will remember how they spent their time attacking people’s health care access and targeting women’s access to maternity care. These measures would strip millions of their coverage through Medicaid, gut essential benefits like maternity care, and coerce private insurers to drop abortion coverage. Once again, extreme lawmakers are asking Americans to pay more and get less, with women paying the biggest price of all.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.